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Tuesday, February 4, 2014

They Deserved Better

Last night was a lot closer than most people ever thought it would have been. BU was in the game all night but there is a certainly a difference between being in the game and actually winning.

BU never caught a break last night. They never got a bounce. They simply had no luck. One play in the third period perfectly sums this all up. A pass came from the corner by (I believe) Cason Hohmann to Matt Lane who was all alone in front of the BC goal. The puck somehow got deflected and went straight up. At this point, BC goalie Thatcher Demko was sprawled out and the entire net was open. The puck continued the pinball around the crease, hitting off of everything but somehow staying out of the net. It was just one of those nights.

BU played well out of the gate, but it was BC who struck early and looked like they would run away with the game. Pat MacGregor was in the box for tripping just 3:50 into the game, 15 seconds later the Eagles had a 1-0 lead. Teddy Doherty and Scott Savage helped set up Ryan Fitzgerald in the low right circle and from there, Fitzgerald beat Matt O'Connor (29 saves) top left up under the bar. It was a nice setup and a better shot.

From this point on, BU actually had some of the better chances in the frame, but again just couldn't get a break... and BC did.

On a John Gaudreau rush into the zone, BU defenseman Garrett Noonan lost an edge, falling down and allowing Gaudreau to walk right into the slot. There, he was cleaned out by another BU skater but the puck went right to Bill Arnold. Arnold wasted no time sliding a pass over to Kevin Hayes who was wide open at the top of the crease and staring at an empty net. Needless to say he didn't miss, and despite how well BU had played to that point, all they had to show for their efforts was a 2-0 deficit, 1:20 into the second period.

Things went from bad to worse around halfway through the period. Doyle Somerby laid a solid check on Kevin Hayes at his own blue line. Hayes turned towards the boards in the middle of the hit and fell awkwardly. At first glance, it looked like a pretty bad hit, but after seeing a replay there is no reason Somerby should have been thrown out for the hit.

The five minute power play for BC could have buried the Terriers, but honestly they had the best scoring chance. A shorthanded break saw Danny O'Regan and Nick Roberto get in behind the D deep in the BC zone. O'Regan made a cut back move that opened up Demko but yet again somehow did not find the back of the net.

Finally after everything, every close call, every almost goal, BU finally broke though with 13:17 left. Danny O'Regan created the whole play after he got into the zone. The sophomore forward carried the puck all the way behind the net and created a passing lane to a streaking Robbie Bailargeon in the slot. Robbie caught the pass and ripped one past Demko glove side.

The Terriers continued to press and had some opportunities to tie things up, but much as the game played out all along, BU was unable to get a bounce.

Gaudreau put the final dagger in the Terrier's side by adding an empty net goal with 33 seconds left.

It was one hell of a hockey game and it was much more than anyone expected. If BU plays that way down the stretch, they will win hockey games which is all we can ask for at this point.

BU Hockey Video Highlights

Terrier History during the Blog's History

BU celebrates its 5th National title after an unbelievable comeback and overtime winner by Colby Cohen (25). (Photo by Matt Dresens)

2011

BU celebrates as a team following a 5-4 win over Notre Dame in the 2011 Icebreaker Invitational final in St. Louis. (Photo by Matt Dresens)

2011 and 2012

Chris Connolly was named Captain in both his Junior and Senior seasons at BU. He was the first two year Captain since Jack O'Callahan wore the "C" in both 1978 and '79. (Photo by Matt Dresens)

2009-2012

Kieran Millan played four years as a Terrier, Leading BU to the National Championship in 2009. That same year, he was named National Rookie of the Year. On October 15th, 2011, Millan broke Sean Fields' record of 63 wins as a Terrier with a 4-3 win over Denver. By the end of his career, MIllan amassed 81 victories. (Photo by Matt Dresens)

2012

Terrier players solute those who made the trip down to New York City to witness BU upend Cornell 2-1 in overtime at Madison Square Garden thanks to a Ross Gaudet redirection goal with 2:12 remaining in the extra session. (Photo by Matt Dresens)

2013

Jack Parker waves goodbye for one final time, as BU falls in the 2013 Hockey East Championship game 1-0 to Lowell. This was Parker's 1,484th and final game as the Head Coach at BU. Over 40 seasons, Parker amassed a record of 897-472-115. (Photo by Matt Dresens)